A French rider reaches for a pass in the team’s game against Argentina yesterday.

The home side has prevailed at the second Horse-Ball World Cup, with France beating Spain in the final with a score of 7 points to 5.

Portugal finished in third place, ahead of Belgium in fourth.

Held at France’s Montpellier Exhibitions Park from November 7 to 11, the event featured seven teams.

The Heinz Wolff Cup for Young Riders was also contested for the first time. An Italian side from the Lombardie club prevailed over a team from France’s Languedoc Roussillon,with Australia third.

The sport of Horse-Ball originated in France in the 1930s, and in the 90s spread to other European countries. The FIHB International Federation of Horse-Ball (FIHB) has been recognised by FEI since April 2004, and the discipline is recognised in FEI Group I and II.